Bar fight precedes murder

A 28-year-old Dow City man was arrested Saturday for murder after he allegedly shot and killed a man after an argument in a Dow City bar.

Benton Wingrove was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Adam Lary, 29, of Dow City. Wingrove faces up to life in prison if convicted of the crime.

Wingrove and Lary allegedly argued at Cheers Bar, 100 Franklin St., about 1 a.m. before a bar employee told them to leave, according to a Crawford County Sheriff's report.

Witnesses said that Lary exited the bar first, and that Wingrove followed.

Wingrove returned to the bar and was breathing heavily, witnesses said. He stayed for about 10 minutes before walking out again.

Witnesses reported multiple gunshots and a revving engine.

Wingrove allegedly called 911 and confessed to the shooting about 1:41 a.m.

"I just shot my pistol at a car that swerved," the caller said, according to a report.

A sheriff's deputy who responded to the call found Wingrove standing at the corner of U.S. Highway 30 and School Street. A handgun lay nearby.

The white Ford Taurus that Adam Lary drove had crashed into a garage on East Fulton Street. He was taken by ambulance to Crawford County Memorial Hospital, where a medical examiner ruled that he died from a single gunshot wound.

Investigators found several bullet holes in the Taurus. Bullet casings that matched Wingrove's weapons were scattered on the ground.

Wingrove is held in Crawford County Jail on $1 million bond. He faces felony charges of first-degree murder and going armed with intent.